The one thing that genuinely takes you by surprise when it comes to cancer, is diagnosis – and then the journey.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
You never really think it is going to happen to you.
We are after all – ten foot tall and bullet proof when it comes to these sorts of things.
But when it does happen, it’s devastating on so many levels.
Chances are we all know someone affected by cancer.
It is the scourge of the 21st century.
One in eight women will deal with a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Just take a look around – and it might take a bit to sink in – but you’ll realise that’s absolutely staggering.
Mothers, sisters, aunts – and men – it does not discriminate.
And if it’s not genetic – it’s even harder to understand why.
For men, its prostate cancer.
One in five men in Australia are at risk of developing prostate cancer before the age of 85.
There are about 17,000 new cases of prostate cancer in this country each year.
The doctors will tell you early diagnosis and understanding is the key to survival.
We are getting better, there is no doubt about that.
All those education campaigns seem to be paying off.
Survival rates are improving year on year.
It’s those high profile deaths from cancer, like journalist Rebecca Wilson in more recent times, that tend to put the fear of God in you.
Scare tactics aside; what does take you by surprise when you are diagnosed, is the journey you then find yourself on.
For some, not all, it can be empowering.
When you realise you have this ‘gi-normous’ battle ahead, you can either stand tall, or sit back and let it consume you.
One of the things we all should be very thankful for, is the support of family and friends – not to mention the truly excellent medical support we have in this region through the new cancer centre.
We’ve spoken about this before – how lucky we are to have these services right on our doorstep – with a team of dedicated specialists and specialist nurses, and support staff.
They don’t make it easy – that’s an individual journey –but do what they can to lend support on so many levels.
And that counts for a lot.